Water Systems for Small Communities

A Puzzle Guide for Local Officials
Bulletin 910

Water Systems for Small Communities

Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University
Lori Libby, Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs, Miami University

Providing safe, reliable drinking water in a community is an involved process. Many elements must come together to ensure that a community has the capacity to develop and sustain a water system.

The big picture is sometimes overwhelming to local leaders as they work to make the right decisions for their community. In this program, the important components of a water system have been laid out as the pieces of a puzzle. They indeed fit together to serve the customers. If a piece is missing, the customer immediately or eventually suffers.

The puzzle and workbook were developed by a team of water supply, community service, and educational professionals from the Ohio Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group. The puzzle and workbook serve as one guide through a small community water system.

Puzzle—Small Community Water System

Produced by:

Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University

Created by:

John Victor, Senior Graphic Designer, Communications and Technology, The Ohio State University

With contributions from:

Terry Beck, Tony Nye, and John Stamm, Ohio State University Extension

Lori Libby, Miami University

Deb Martin and Ralph Martinsek, Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Program

Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio

Ron Veley, USGS

Holly Doughman, USDA-RD

Bob Sprout, Ohio Rural Water Association

Leonard Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Dr. Ashley Bird and Julie Gillenwater, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Workbook—Small Community Water System

Produced by: Karen Mancl, The Ohio State University

1. The Role of Local Officials in Providing Safe Drinking Water
   Terry Beck, OSU Extension
   Ron Veley, U.S. Geological Survey
2. Water Systems for Small Communities
   Lori Libby, Miami University
3. Water System Customers
   Tony Nye, OSU Extension
4. Current Residential Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
5. Current Commercial and Institutional Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
6. Current Industrial Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
7. Future Residential Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
8. Future Commercial and Institutional Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
9. Future Industrial Water Use
   Lenn Black, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
10. Fire Protection in Small Communities
    Tony Nye, OSU Extension
11. Sources of Drinking Water for Small Communities
    Ron Veley, U.S. Geological Survey
12. Source Water Protection
    Heather Raymond, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
    Craig Smith, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
13. Water Distribution System: Pipes, Valves, and Flush Hydrants
    Julie Gillenwater, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
14. Maintaining Water System Integrity
    Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
15. Pressure Sources
    Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
16. Water Storage
    Karen Mancl, The Ohio State University
17. Water Meters
    Karen Mancl, The Ohio State University
18. Removing Aesthetic Contaminants from Drinking Water
    Ashley Bird, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
19. Filtering Microbes from Drinking Water
    Ashley Bird, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
20. Water System Disinfection and Byproduct Control
    Ashley Bird, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
21. Lead and Copper Control
    Jeff Crisler, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
22. Monitoring Drinking Water Sources
    Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
23. Monitoring Drinking Water for Contaminants
    Todd Kelleher, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
    Ashley Bird, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
24. Monitoring Water Distribution Systems
    Jeff Crisler, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
25. Water Testing Laboratories
    Todd Kelleher, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
26. Water System Monitoring Recording and Reporting
    Todd Kelleher, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
27. Water System Operation and Maintenance
    Julie Gillenwater, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
28. Certified Water System Operators
    Julie Gillenwater, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
29. Water System Management
    Karen Mancl, The Ohio State University
30. Personnel Management
    Julie Gillenwater, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
    Lori Libby, Miami University
31. Training for Water System Personnel
    Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
32. Water System Owner, Authority or Board
    Lori Libby, Miami University
33. Business Plan or Capacity Assurance Plan
    Joni Molter, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
    Holly Doughman, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
34. Water System Emergency Contingency Plan
    Jeff Morrison, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
35. Financial Management of Community Water Systems
    John Stamm, OSU Extension
    Holly Doughman, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
    Lori Libby, Miami University
36. Technical Assistance for Water Systems
    Joyce Gray, Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Program
37. Public Communication
    Tony Nye, OSU Extension
    Lori Libby, Miami University
    Holly Doughman, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development

The Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group was formed in Ohio in 1990 by state, federal, local, educational, and service agencies that provide educational, technical, and financial assistance for environmental infrastructure projects. These agencies saw a need to coordinate efforts to assist small governments with the difficult task of developing, improving, and maintaining water and wastewater systems.

The goal of the group is to assist small communities in identifying the most appropriate resources to help the communities resolve problems associated with environmental infrastructure. To this end the group has established three committees.

• Financing committee—coordinates financial resources administered by state and federal agencies by compiling a financing directory and by holding bimonthly (the second Friday of even months) financing coordinating meetings with communities seeking assistance. The committee evaluates, makes recommendations, and continues to work with communities to obtain whatever financial assistance is available.
• Curriculum committee—offers workshops for local officials on water and wastewater systems. For information on workshops and other water and wastewater publications, check the website, www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~setll.
• Technology transfer committee—develops resources for technical consultants and regulators on underutilized technologies appropriate for Ohio's small communities. The committee established a resource library house at the Operator Training Committee of Ohio offices at 3972 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Members of the committee have also collaborated on writing and publishing new manuals on wastewater treatment technology.